Tips for Communicating if You Have Hearing Loss

The most prominent problem people with hearing loss say they face is that it makes it hard to communicate with others. Even though not being able to hear other sounds can make it hard to enjoy the world around you, communication is a top issue for people with hearing loss. 

What can someone with hearing loss do to improve their ability to communicate? Every person’s experience is different, and so is the setting in which they communicate. However, some common tips and tricks can help people with hearing loss communicate better. Let’s look at some of these strategies and why getting help is essential if you want to solve communication problems for good.

Start in the right conditions

The easiest thing to do is to move your conversation to a quiet place. You can’t always control the environment in which people talk, but you can make a big difference by reducing background noise. You can also ask that family events occur at your house instead of in a loud public place, which can be very helpful. 

You can also find a quiet place within a venue where you can talk. For example, if you’re in a restaurant, you can ask to be seated in a quieter part of the room instead of near the door, bar, or kitchen.

Cut down on crosstalk.

People with trouble hearing often find it hard to pick out one voice in a room full of people talking. Even though you might do fine one-on-one, it can be hard to hear one voice among many, and the sound might sound like a bunch of jumbled words. 

You can talk to someone in a quieter part of the room or ask them to stand in front of you while they talk. Not only does the direction of sound help you hear better, but you may also be able to watch the movements of your face and mouth to help you understand speech.

Prepare before the social occasion

When you are at a party or dinner in a noisy place, you can also do some things to avoid awkward situations. In a restaurant, for example, you can ask for a quiet table and look at the menu before you go. By carefully reading your meal’s options, you can avoid talking back and forth with a server, which could be complicated or awkward. 

If you’re going to a party or other social event where many people will be talking, you can tell your closest family and friends how they can help you communicate better. 

Ask for what you need

If you are having trouble following a conversation, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You might be able to ask someone to come closer or speak louder. You can also ask a friend or family member to help you hear questions or comments that are hard to hear. This relay action, especially when they are right next to you, can make the difference between tuning out of a conversation and staying involved. 

Even though you might feel awkward when you ask for accommodations, the conversation that follows will be much easier. If you know that one of your ears is better, ask someone to stand on that side of you as soon as possible. This will help you avoid the more difficult struggle of communicating with others.

Get professional help

Hearing loss worsens over time, and you will eventually be in a situation where even the best strategies and tactics can’t help you communicate. Hearing aids and other assistive technology can close the gap between you and others, making it easier for you to understand what they are saying and letting you pick up on all the subtleties. 

Even though these ways to deal with hearing loss can help, the only long-term solution is to get help from a hearing health professional. Getting a hearing test is the first step, so why not make an appointment today?